Page 66 of All I Need

“She’s retiring. Roger found out he has cancer.”

“Ah, shit. That’s terrible.”

“Yeah.”

“Anyway. So he hires her to take Linda’s place only… he’s like so freaking wild over her that he asks her to spend all this time with him. He even had her help out at Sanders’s farm and stuff. It’s so hilarious.”

I raise a finger to make my point. “One time that happened! Once. And I did it so that she could meet Courtney and Brett. I knew they’d hit it off.” That’s the first time I’ve admitted that out loud. Yes, I wanted her with me. Yes, I knew it’d be a great experience for her. But, I know Courtney and knew enough about Ellie to know that they’d get along really well. I like having another person in town that Ellie can feel comfortable with.

“So you decided to sick Courtney on her too so that she’d stay around? You didn’t think Miss Polly would be enough?” Mick asks, shockingly insightful. He might not live in Liberty but he’s visited enough over the years that he’s gotten to know all the people in Grayson’s life.

Grayson buckles over, laughing. He spins around just in time to slam smack dab into a group of girls who look about his age.

He fumbles with his phone as he struggles to stay upright and not knock any of them down in the process. Mick and I stand back, watch the shit show of him trying to look cool while simultaneously asking them for their snapchat handles.

It’s quite the show. The rest of the weekend goes by way too fast and not fast enough. We end up not leaving Chicago until later than we had initially planned. By the time we get back to Liberty, I drop off Grayson at his mom’s and pick up Brutus, it’s too late for me to swing by and see Ellie.

Me:Just got into town. Sorry I can’t stop over and see you.

Ellie: It’s totally fine. Did you have fun? I loved all the pictures you sent. I was bummed we never saw you on the screen, though. You guys must not have been interesting enough for the cameras. LOL

I sent Ellie a few pictures of Grayson and I together at the game, one where he was sticking a foam finger up my nose because we’re mature like that. Aside from that, though, we weren’t very interesting. We laughed and had a great time and by the end of the weekend, it seemed like Grayson and Mick had both relaxed a lot around each other. Which is part of the reason why we left so late.

Me: I know. Grayson threatened to moon the crowd just so we’d get on camera but we managed to talk him out of it.

Ellie: Well now I’m not disappointed at all that we didn’t see you.

Ellie: What are you doing now?

Coming to see you… is what I want to type. Instead, I follow up with something safe.

Me: About to hang out with my Brutus. I missed the little guy.

I missed you too. Did you miss me? Did you think of me as much as I thought of you?

Ellie: Aww. Give him a hug for me.

I wouldn’t mind getting a hug from her.

Me: Will do. I’ll see you in the morning?

Ellie: You will. Bright and early. Last week for Linda then you’re stuck with me. You ready for that?

I can picture her biting the inside of her cheek or fiddling with her fingers after typing that, nervous as to what she’s implying.

Me: I’ll miss her, no doubt, but I’m not worried about being stuck with you. Looking forward to it.

Me: Sweet dreams, Ellie.

I add in and hit send quickly then drop my phone next to me, scratching at Brutus’s ears. I glance over when I hear my phone chime again with an incoming text.

Ellie: Sweet dreams.

Monday morning I arrive at the clinic earlier than normal, hoping that Ellie has the same idea. Just minutes after I hit brew on the coffee pot, I hear a car pull up and then she’s walking in the back door.

I rush down the hallway, ignoring the whimpers from the vacationers along the way. The weekend staff were here playing with them and I already took care of their needs this morning. As soon as Ellie spots me, her face lights up. I itch to take her in my arms, spin her around and show her exactly how much I missed her but her hesitation causes me to stand my ground.

“I’m early.”

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